The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-01-15
THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT,

1--WE are getting dreadfully behind
hand, Bess," said Jack Avery, solemn
", "and unless we can find way out
of our difficulties, Wen soon be going
over the hill to the poorhouse.
Jack sighed dismally, and leaning
back in his armchair, drew down the
corners of his mouth in way that
rendered him the picture of despair.
as it so bad as that?" exclaimed his
pretty, rosy-checked wife, sympatheti-
cally. 1--WE viii begin to save at once,
| ought to have thought of it long ago, "
SAID the little woman regretfully.
"Its all very well to talk about
saving, but how is it to be done when
our income is barely sufficient to pro-
cure necessarics?" said Jack, trying to
force n smile.
1--WE will have to modify our views
concerning 'nccessaries.' There are
ever so many things that we might
manage to dispense with, said Bess,
earnestly. ain the first place. you
ought to give up smoking so many
cigars, and instead of buying your
dinner, make up your mind to take a
nice lunch"
mo. no, Bessr' interrupted Jack,
mpatientlv, ~ must have cigars and
the plan of carrying cold lunch, just
like a common hod-carricr, isn't to be
thought off,
Jacks handsome face assumed n
DECIDEDLY ferocious expression, as he
thrust both hands into his pockets, and
paced the floor with rapid strides
ut was only a suggestion, Jack,
said Bess, placing her hand upon her
husbands shoulder. lyon are not
obliged to give IN smoking, and must
admit that a cold lunch would be likely
to cause dyspepsia. you shall do as
Won think best. dear, and instead of adj
vising you to practice economy, ] will
see what can do toward lcssoning the
family expenses.
"Of course, you must not do without
things that are really necessary. said
Jack, considerably Modified. In fact"
he continued, II want you 10 feel that
you are at liberty to do exactly rs you
please with every dollar that | give
YOU.
Il understand you perfectly, Jack. /
will not be at all backward about
spending money for what we really
need" said Bess with n smile.
I'VE will talk over the matter again,
little one" And Jack, evidently glad
that the matter was set aside for future
consideration, kissed his wife affection
ately, and walked briskly up the street
toward his office.
As he approached the store where he
was in the habit of buying his daily
supply of cigars he slackened his gait
and muttered:
I've half mind TO do without ci-
CARS for a day. Let-me-seo--that
will be thirty cents saved. THdo IL"
Jack immed atcly quickened his pace,
md passed the door, "The first time
in two years that | have passed that
store without going IN" said Jack, rs
he deposited three silver dimes in his
vest pocket "If each penny turns out
to be a seed, thirty cents ought to bring
out a pretty good crop at the end of the
year"
As the hours passed away, Jack was
conscious of feeling very disconsolate
without his accustomed cigar.
"I'll have good, square meal TO
make up Cor it," he multered, on his
way to a ncighboring restaurant.
Upon his arrival. he seated himself at
small table, and picking up a bill of
fare. glanced over the list of culinary
successes and failures named thereon.
Jack hestaiel a moment then. turn
ing TO the waiter. who stood at n re-
speciful stance. he said;
Simmons. br ng me bowl of vege-
table soup. a few slices Of bread. and a
saucer of rice pudding"
"All right, sab. Wonder what's
come ober Massa Avery; | reckon dc
tip top dinners am prov n too much
fur his digestyun. he muttered with a
grin, rs he delivered the order,
WHO would have thought that l
could enjoy ANYTHING Ike this?' said
Jack to himself. rs he swallowed the
t..t .roorfnl Of nudiinC. On his way